Bhajansangraha Dharmamrut - Book Summary

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Bhajansangraha Dharmamrut" by Bechardas Doshi, published by Goleccha Prakashan Mandir, based on the provided pages.

Title: Bhajansangraha Dharmamrut (A Collection of Devotional Songs as the Nectar of Dharma)

Author: Bechardas Doshi (Editor: Bechardas Jivraj Pandit)

Publisher: Goleccha Prakashan Mandir, Khichan (Jodhpur)

Publication Context: This book is presented as the first publication of the "Goleccha Jain Granthmala" (Goleccha Jain Book Series). The series was initiated and funded by Seth Manmalji Goleccha and his family in memory of their father, uncle, and grandfather, aiming to publish various books related to Jainism and societal welfare. The publication was sponsored by Seth Shankarlalji Manmalji Goleccha and the printing was done by Navjivan Mudranalaya, Ahmedabad. The Vikram Samvat year of publication is 1995 (1939 CE).

Core Content and Philosophy: The "Bhajansangraha Dharmamrut" is a compilation of 101 devotional songs (bhajans) composed by both Jain and Sanatani (Hindu) poets. The primary objective of this collection, as stated in the editorial, is to promote the principle of "Sarva-Dharma-Sama-Bhav" (equality and harmony of all religions). The editor emphasizes that despite varying religious affiliations of the composers (Jain, Vaishnav, Shaiv, etc.), the underlying intention and spiritual message in all the bhajans are consistent. The collection aims to be appreciated and sung by followers of any faith, as the spiritual path, in its true essence, unites all traditions.

Key Features:

Inclusivity: The collection includes devotional songs from prominent saints and poets across different religious traditions, highlighting a universal spiritual message.
Jain Composers: Special emphasis is given to Jain poets like Gyananand, Vinay Vijay, Yasho Vijay, Anandghan, Udayratna, Anandvardhan, Veer Vijay, Khodaji, and Sankalchandji. Their biographical introductions are provided, detailing their time periods, lineage, gurus, and significant works.
Sanatani Composers: The collection also features bhajans from renowned Hindu saints and poets such as Surdas, Kabir, Raidas, and Narsinh Mehta.
Spiritual Themes: The bhajans generally focus on themes of devotion, detachment from worldly pleasures, the impermanence of life, the pursuit of self-knowledge, the nature of the soul, devotion to the Tirthankaras (especially Kunthunath, Shitalnath, Suvidhinath), and the realization of the divine within.
Linguistic and Etymological Analysis: A significant aspect of the book is the inclusion of detailed etymological explanations and meanings for approximately 267 ancient words used in the bhajans. The editor, Bechardas Doshi, who is a Gujarati and an expert in Prakrit, provides these analyses, aiming to enhance the reader's understanding of the language and the nuances of the spiritual concepts. He explains his methodology for etymology, prioritizing semantic similarity and linguistic evolution over mere phonetic similarity.
Editorial Notes and Corrections: The editor acknowledges the assistance received from various sources and individuals, including the editors of "Ashram Bhajnavali" and "Vinayvilas" or "Jashvilas." He also expresses gratitude to Pandit Narayan Moreshwar Khare for determining the melodies for the bhajans, lamenting his passing. An extensive errata list (shuddhipatraka) is provided to correct printing and language errors, particularly in the Hindi used by the Gujarati-speaking editor.
Foreword by Purushottamdas Tandon: A foreword is contributed by Purushottamdas Tandon, a prominent national figure and scholar. Tandon praises the editor's work and the collection's spirit of religious harmony. He particularly notes the profoundness of the Jain poets' compositions, highlighting Gyananand's work. He also comments on the linguistic aspects, acknowledging the editor's Gujarati-Hindi and providing corrections, thereby adding value to the collection from a linguistic perspective. Tandon praises the detailed etymological section as scholarly and significant for linguistics.

Content Breakdown (by Poet and Theme):

Gyananand (Jain): Songs focus on waking up to spiritual awareness, the supremacy of the Tirthankara (Munivitarag), detaching from worldly pursuits, understanding the illusory nature of the world, and realizing the true Self. His bhajans often mention "Nidhi Charitra" possibly referring to his guru or a spiritual teaching.
Vinay Vijay (Jain): His bhajans emphasize detachment from the fleeting pleasures of the world, the futility of worldly attachments, the importance of the Guru's guidance, and the realization of the inner divine.
Yasho Vijay (Jain): His songs delve into the nature of the soul, the path to liberation, the importance of true knowledge over rituals, the vanity of worldly possessions and status, and the concept of the soul as distinct from the body and the senses.
Anandghan (Jain): His devotional pieces express deep spiritual longing, the search for the divine within, the recognition of the oneness of various deities (Ram, Rahman, Brahma, Shiva, Parsvanath), and the attainment of ultimate peace through devotion.
Other Jain Poets: Songs by Udayratna, Anandvardhan, Veer Vijay, Khodaji, and Sankalchandji contribute to the collection's breadth of Jain spiritual thought.
Sanatani Poets:
- Surdas: His bhajans emphasize surrender to the divine, the recognition of God's omnipresence, and seeking divine grace.
- Kabir: His songs highlight the importance of the Guru, the futility of rituals without inner transformation, and the equality of all beings.
- Raidas: His bhajans express profound devotion and surrender, emphasizing the Lord as the ultimate refuge.
- Narsinh Mehta: Known for his devotional fervor and social reformist spirit, his included bhajan emphasizes empathy and compassion as core Vaishnavite virtues.

Etymological Section Highlights: The extensive "Vyutpatti" (etymology) section is a scholarly endeavor. It meticulously traces the origins of words like "Bhor" (dawn), "Rayan" (night), "Vihani" (dawn/morning), "Kaj" (work), "Pahare" (time/watch), "Vajey" (plays/sounds), "Chhila" (pool), "Chhanh" (shade), "Mahi" (milk/curd), "Nirjara" (shedding of karma), "Pash" (bond/noose), and many others. It draws heavily from Prakrit grammar (especially Hemachandra's) and Sanskrit linguistics, offering multiple perspectives on word derivations, phonetic changes, and semantic shifts. This section is crucial for understanding the linguistic richness and historical development of devotional terminology.

Overall Significance: "Bhajansangraha Dharmamrut" stands as a significant work in Jain literature for its commitment to interfaith harmony, its scholarly approach to devotional poetry, and its detailed linguistic analysis. It serves as a testament to the shared spiritual heritage and the universal quest for the divine that transcends religious boundaries. The collection not only offers spiritual solace through its hymns but also provides valuable insights into the history of language and spiritual expression in India.